SE Mi-Suspension help/ Install day!

[motorcitywrx]

Well, I finally decided on a suspension setup for my wagon. I only have the progress rear sway bar and cusco frt. strut bar. I Just received my Koni struts and my Prodrive springs should be here tomorrow or Thur.

So I was wondering if any suspension pros wanted to lend their advice, that would be cool. I am certainly not asking anyone to do this for me More or less hang out while I work.

Was wondering if anyone local had a spring compressor I could borrow
Buying lunch and beverages wouldn't be a problem.

I have air tools and a garage with a long driveway to do the job at. Would any other locals be interested in a install day. My driveway would be available unless someone had any other suggestions.

As long as my springs do come in I was thinking about doing something this Sat. (I have class till noon) or Sun. (again, commitments till about noon). Or I could certainly wait if it would benefit others schedules. -Wayne

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

[2000vfr800]

There's a slim chance I could help, but I don't have spring compressors. Fred always had those (r.i.p.).

I hope you have a really long breaker bar... Some of those rear bolts are a PITA to remove...

[Safir]

you know i'm always avaliable for a suspension install. Are you getting new upper mounts as well, or only struts and springs?

I still maintain that we do tnot need spring compressors to install lowring springs, we just can't invite john the day we do it.

[motorcitywrx]

No, I am not getting upper mounts. Would you suggest them. What are the advantages to them? The car will probably see a couple track days a year, but mostly just street time.

So right now I am just planning on struts (inserts) and springs.

Don, Joe would a certain day be better for either of you?

Joe...your saying this can be done without a spring comp. so in your opinion this is safe? I just want to keep all my apendiges(spelling)!


Still open to others to stop by or bring a project to work on. My place is still available unless someone offers up another.

[Safir]

I have done more than one spring install without compressors. it's a little hairy, and I can only do it if we are installing lowering springs, but I'm not afraid to do it. We either need somewhere with air and an impact wrench, or a set fo compressors, an "O" ratchet like fred had, and an allen wrench. I am not sure on teh size of the allen wrench.

I aks if you are getting new top mounts because it saves us the trouble of swapping the old ones over, the gain with the STi pieces is probably nil, and not worth the cost.

i've never done just the inserts before, do you have a set of instructions, are there any special tools needed to get hte old ones out? i guess i'd have to see them to figure it out.

[mbiker97]

I'll help, just let me know when. Air tools will save the day for sure. I have also installed lowering springs without a spring compressor. It would have taken alot longer if we had had to use one.

[motorcitywrx]

O.K. - I am thinking Sat. about 1:30 (Sat. morning school field trip to cranbrook) My place is fine.
45451 Joseph, Shelby Twp. 48317

I will probably skip on the strut tops then.

I do have air comp. and impact wrench, many allen wrenches, not sure about the "o" wrench.

If it came down to it I will just by a spring comp. if no-one has one I can borrow.

The konis do have instructions...but you end up cutting the top of strut off and removing the old insert and then installing the new one. I have a air powered cut-off wheels and a hack saw for that job.

The springs again are the prodrives and they lower the car about a inch from what I have read.

[mbiker97]

Originally posted by motorcitywrx
If it came down to it I will just by a spring comp. if no-one has one I can borrow.

You can borrow spring compressors from Murrays Auto. There is one at John R and Auburn. There might be some that are closer. You basically buy them (around $30) and then return them for the whole price when done.

I want to see these inserts so I'll be there.

[motorcitywrx]

So if I end up needing a spring comp. thats probably what I will do Seth.

As stated above, all is welcome even if you don't plan on working.

We will have to keep the map gas away from Joe...I know how he likes that stuff

[Safir]

it's mapp gas

and allen wrenches/"O" ratchet are only needed if you don't have an impact, they are used to tighten/loosen the top nut on the strut. have a set of compressors around just in case we cant get the tops on the new springs, i'm not sure how "short" they are.

[2000vfr800]

It looks like I'm not going to be able to help. Sorry Wayne...

[Safir]

I'll still be avaliable.

for reference, this is an "O" rachet - but only needed when air tools are not avaliable

[Boostup!]

It's SUPERTAN to the rescue! What do you know, I have spring compressors! I'll try to make it out to your install day, Wayne.

[motorcitywrx]

WooHoo..my Prodrive springs just came in
So all is a go for this Sat.

Again I have class till noon so any time after or around 1:30 should be fine to stop by.

Don - sorry to hear you can make it, hopefully you will be working on your wagon.

Supertan...you rock! Looks like I won't have to by a spring compressor after all, I probably would of ended up keeping it anyway.

My address is in the thread already, my phone #is 586-739-7276


So far we have:
Joe
Seth
Supertan
Geronimo?

All is welcome to stop by and if you have a project speak up.

[wawazat]

Originally posted by motorcitywrx
O.K. - I am thinking Sat. about 1:30 (Sat. morning school field trip to cranbrook) My place is fine.
45451 Joseph, Shelby Twp. 48317

Where is this in Shelby. We have the same ZIP code, so you gotta be close! I'm at 22 and Van Dyke. I've got spring compressors, an "O" ratchet set, and have done Koni inserts on my SVX. What more could you want I need clearance from the tower so I'll schedule my flight plan this evening.

Todd

[mbiker97]

Originally posted by wawazat


Where is this in Shelby. We have the same ZIP code, so you gotta be close! I'm at 22 and Van Dyke. I've got spring compressors, an "O" ratchet set, and have done Koni inserts on my SVX. What more could you want I need clearance from the tower so I'll schedule my flight plan this evening.

Todd

I think you'll probably hear "Negative Ghostrider the pattern is full" unless of course it's raining.

[motorcitywrx]

Hey Todd, I am North of West Utica & East of Deq. My address is posted above. If you don't have plans Sat. afternoon come on by The more spring compressors the better Joe says we won't need the "o" ratchet or the compressors. He states its "a little hairy". very curious on this precedure. But I trust him.

[wawazat]

Originally posted by mbiker97


I think you'll probably hear "Negative Ghostrider the pattern is full" unless of course it's raining.

Yeah, a common phrase around my house these days.

I'll try and be there on Sat. Should be OK. I like the location. I'll be SVX-less of course. Watch for a big, though not as big as Clayton's, Dodge diesel. You should hear and smell it before you see it.

Todd

[motorcitywrx]

bump-ity!

[rsctek]

Hey guys, you don't mind a stranger stopping buy to meet some fellow WRX'rs do you. I've been trying to find some local guys off of couple of other boards, should've checked here a while ago......

Nick

03 WRB Wagon

[motorcitywrx]

No problem Nick, You are welcome to stop by. I just got home from school and everything is still on.

[mbiker97]

Wayne: I took down your number. We're going to Arts and Apples in Rochester so we'll probably swing by when we leave.

[mbiker97]

How did the install work out Wayne? The inserts seems really nice.

[motorcitywrx]

The install went great! No problems whatsoever. Big thanks to Joe for lending his help And also to supertan for bringing the compressors which we needed for in install.

Thanks Seth for bringing the snacks!

I think Toon had the worst luck w/his company car

I have been driving around with the Koni's set to full hard...but our roads are jsut to rough for that setting. I really want to get to a track now and utilize the firmer settings. I am going to soften them up today.

Really pleased so far ...no strange noises or anything. The suspension combined with the ECUtek have really made this car a whole lotta fun.


Here is a few piq's of how the car sits now.



Here is the aftermath of the stock struts